Over 200 people forming a “Ring of Peace” around Our Lady of Lourdes in downtown Toronto came together to declare that the real face of religion is the very opposite of the hate that moved terrorists to bomb three churches and three hotels in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday.

In one of the darkest hours for the “City of Light,” the Catholic Church in Canada has united in prayer and solidarity with Paris as it watched one of its grandest treasures engulfed in a raging inferno.

At an ecumenical prayer service for peace in the Middle East, Cardinal Thomas Collins made his most direct appeal yet for the Canadian government to pay special attention to Christian refugees as it distributes aid in the region and accepts refugees for resettlement.

Cardinal Thomas Collins believes the Archdiocese of Toronto’s founding bishop was a martyr and is a saint. On the occasion of the archdiocese’s 175th anniversary, Collins announced he plans to begin the process that could make it official.

On December 17, 2016, the Archdiocese of Toronto celebrated its 175th anniversary, launching a year-long celebration to commemorate this historic milestone. Established in 1841 with 22 parishes and Michael Power as its first bishop, the archdiocese has grown to become a vibrant and diverse faith community of more than two million people. Together we celebrate the sacraments each week in more than 30 languages at our 225 parishes. We are truly blessed.

The Catholic Register has created this special commemorative magazine to reflect on our past, recalling the humble beginnings of our faith journey and to celebrate our many blessings along the way. We are forever indebted to those who came before us, sacrificing much and giving in abundance to plant the seeds of faith, outreach and service for generations to come.

Let us continue to follow their example of generosity and fidelity, ever mindful that our own witness can serve as a beacon of hope, love and inspiration. To all those who serve so faithfully: our priests, religious men and women and Catholics across the archdiocese, be assured of my gratitude for all that you do to spread the Good News.

As we celebrate our 175th anniversary, we ask for God’s blessing in our daily journey of faith. May we continue to build on the foundation established by Bishop Power and all those who have followed.

Yours sincerely in Christ,

Thomas Collins

Archbishop of Toronto

Anniversary Prayer

A special prayer for the 175th anniversary of the Archdiocese of Toronto

Loving Father,

We turn to you with gratitude for the many blessings you have generously bestowed

upon the people of the Archdiocese of Toronto,

who from the very beginning have arrived here from many nations to find

and strengthen a community of faith,

where we have been able to encounter your Son in our joys and sorrows.

As the Archdiocese celebrates its 175th anniversary,

we ask you to continue to bless your people with the gifts of the Holy Spirit,

so that all clergy, religious and faithful may be gathered and strengthened in their mission of

constantly proclaiming the wonderful works of salvation to all we meet.

On March 23, public depositions were heard by a standing committee that is reviewing Bill-84, an act to amend Ontario laws related to medically assisted death. Two of the speakers, Cardinal Thomas Collins and Dr. Christine Cserti‐Gazdewich, appealed for the recognition of conscience rights to protect doctors who reject this now-legal practice. Here is the edited statement from Cardinal Collins.

Showing respect for human dignity should never include the "false mercy" of helping someone prematurely end their life, Cardinal Thomas Collins told a packed audience Nov. 10 at the 37th annual Cardinal's Dinner in Toronto.